On May 14, 2026, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis arrived at the Vidhan Bhavan in Mumbai on a motorcycle, a move intended to promote fuel conservation following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal for austerity. Videos of Fadnavis riding pillion were shared widely on social media. The Maharashtra government recently announced several austerity measures, including a 50% reduction in convoy sizes for ministers and increased use of public transport. However, the Congress party quickly dismissed Fadnavis's motorcycle ride as a 'photo op', arguing that it did little to address serious public transport issues in Mumbai. Congress leaders suggested that if Fadnavis was genuinely committed to austerity, he could have used the local bus service instead. The criticism follows earlier demands from opposition parties for more serious implementation of austerity measures, including limiting the size of official convoys and encouraging carpooling. The government's austerity measures are part of a broader response to ongoing global energy supply challenges.